Why a Record-Strength El Niño Still Might Not Save Europe's Gas Market

Only an exceptionally strong El Niño will meaningfully ease Europe's LNG needs this winter, and forecasters currently rate that outcome as a long shot. Rystad Energy's analysis indicates that European winter temperatures would need to be at least 2 degrees Celsius above the historical average before the region's LNG demand could fall to or below last winter's level. Current forecasts point to a strong El Niño event forming through the winter of 2026-2027, potentially the most intense since 2015, however a strong El Niño event…